Destination, Foumban
The chargeur comes up to us and asks if we’re going to Foumban, Akilah is very stern with him in making sure he’s actually going all the way there and won’t be stopping in Foumbot. Some cars just say they’re going all the way, but when they get to Foumbot tell you to get another vehicle. But it turned out that this one, actually did go all the way.
Since we’re the first to board, we get good seats, and actually manage to not be moved around, though there was a couple of times as other passengers were getting on they attempted to take my seat. Women mostly, just attempting to push me aside. Of course since that meant either losing my seat, or much worse, not being able to get back on, I refused to let that happen.
Once again as we’re traveling, I’m noticing the scenery of the area. This time it looks even more picturesque in the setting sun. What I wouldn’t do for a professional camera and some film right now.
We’re passing through several towns and areas on the way to Foumban. One area in particular, the Bamilèkè region, Akilah gives me a quick history lesson on. Turns out there are quite a few people of Bamilèkè descent that are assuring roads in their region get paved. Not a bad concept though. So you’ll find more paved roads in this western area than anywhere else, especially more than the east.
The ride is pretty eventless, until we get to Foumbot and one lady decides she wants to pay a portion of what she’s supposed to. She and the driver are arguing ferociously. Since I don’t speak any french and understand just a few words, I have to rely on Akilah’s sporadic translations. Her fare is 500 CFAs, but she only wants to pay 400 CFAs. It gets to the point of such ridiculousness that some of the other passengers begin fussing at her. They’re upset because everyone knows what the fare is, and she has to pay what we all pay. Of course she continues arguing, and even persists more when the driver says that he will take her past the police if she doesn’t pay the full fare. Now the other passengers are really upset.
The woman sitting next to her, tells her to do what she’s supposed to because the night is falling; and you do not want to be on a dark unlighted road traveling if you can avoid it. The young lady seems to push her chest (figuratively that is) out at the statement of going to the police. She’s like, “well let’s go then.” But of course her next few statements are a little more conciliatory; she even says something about Allah in one of them.
This strikes a nerve with the woman next to her, who doesn’t have a problem saying to her, “Oh, now you know Allah, eh?” As we get to the final stop in Foumbot, the woman is attempting to get out. This means she has to pass by me since I’m the person sitting in the seat that needs to fold down for those in the back to get out. The driver asks me to remain seated until he received his correct payment; of course this is in french, but somehow I knew that’s what he wanted. Wow! How’d I do that?
Though I can empathize with the brother, since I’d hate to be ripped off and I think she should pay what the fare is, I want to stay, but quickly note that I don’t want to be caught up in someone else’s argument. So I reverse my descent to sit back down, however, not quickly enough for the arguing young lady. She begins poking me on my back, not being able to speak so that she understands me, I quickly turn and make an facial expression that would show my obvious attitude at her nerve and motion my fingers at her as if to say “Oh, no you won’t!”
Simultaneously, Akilah is telling her to back off (paraphrased of course. . .all I heard was Tu ne “something” pas, sil vous plait). . .guess my french tutorial sessions may prove a good investment. The woman ceases and waits until I have an opportunity to get up and let her out. I don’t know how much she ended up paying, and at this point just wanted to get to Foumban.
About twenty minutes or so later, we arrive in Foumban. We just have to travel to the downtown area where the gare is; Akilah lives about two blocks or so from there. I’m not really able to see much since there are no streetlights, but when we arrive to the downtown area it’s more than obvious. There are people everywhere. To me it seems like they’re just hanging, but there are folks selling goods (yes at 9:00pm) and others are either taxi drivers or moto operators.
What a day. I just need to get some rest.